Leandro Paredes, a 27-year-old midfielder who arrived at Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 and under contract until 2023, spoke at the microphone of PSG TV in category Break Time. The Argentina international spoke of a very special summer 2021 with the arrival of Lionel Messi (34-year-old striker), but also his idols, his position and his family life.
Paredes “It’s a dream come true from which I have benefited a lot. “
The first thing I do when I get home?
I first greet my family, my wife, my children, I spend a little time with them. I ask them how was school, what they did, etc. And of course, when I come back from training, we sit down to eat.
The 1-4 against Barça last season?
A great match, a great evening, it was incredible!
The games behind closed doors?
We weren’t used to playing like that. Fortunately, today that has changed. People are back at the stadium.
Boca Juniors?
This is where I started my career playing number 10. It was a dream come true that I enjoyed a lot. I liked wearing this jersey and this number with everything it represents. All that means to wear this number, not for what it represented to Boca, but for what it represented to me at that time.
What is it like to play Bombonera?
It’s something wonderful, a lot of players like to play there, there are players who would like to do it. Like Ander Herrera, who wants to do it before the end of his career.
Paredes “I always tried to be inspired by them as much as I could. “
I was able to play with Riquelme, an idol?
Yes, it was a dream for me to play with him, to have fun playing with him as a teammate, as a friend. I still talk to him a lot.
My favorite stadiums?
Apart from La Bombonera, which is number 1 for me, there are a lot of stadiums that I like a lot, like the Parc des Princes, the Bernabeu, the Camp Nou. Old Trafford too. These are incredible stadiums.
What did I like about Riquelme and Zidane?
The elegance, the calm with which they played any type of match. When playing against a lower team, they played the same as when they had to play against the better. It’s something I’ve always loved about them.
I also play elegantly?
Yes, I always tried to be inspired by them as much as I could. I watched them a lot.
Paredes “I enjoy every moment 100%. “
I am now more of a sentry?
Today I prefer this position, I am still in contact with the ball. I’m still facing the pitch, which is very important, so I really like my position.
My relationship with Lionel Messi?
I appreciate all the moments that we have together, whether it’s the national team or seeing him here with us in Paris, in the locker room, every day in training, and enjoying a lot of things on and off the pitch. For me, this is something incredible. I enjoy every moment 100%.
Paredes “We were with him on vacation two days before and he had arranged everything to renew his contract with his club.
How did he learn of Messi’s arrival at PSG?
By message. We were with him on vacation two days before and he had everything sorted out to renew his contract with his club. And two days later, he wrote to us that that had changed, that he had the possibility of coming to Paris. So that was very, very good news for all of us. Until he signed, we were in the realm of whether he was coming or not, but we were very happy with his arrival.
Was it a party for Argentines at PSG?
Yes, until he signed, we were in the realm of whether he was coming or not, but we were very happy when he arrived!
The perfect summer with the Copa America?
Yes, it has been amazing. Everything that we have been through in such a short time, it was really great. It was something very beautiful, and after Messi arrived at PSG. It was unbelievable.
(Paredes sees a photo with his wife):
I think I was 11 or 12, and she was 13 or 14. We were very young, we were in a province of Argentina and we were in Catamarca.
Paredes “When you are sad, when you go through certain things because of injuries, children change your day in a second. “
My mom says I fell in love as soon as I saw her?
Yes, it’s true. I was very young and told my mom she was my girlfriend, even though she wasn’t yet. And I said I would marry her someday.
Did I get a tattoo of her name before I got married?
Before even being her boyfriend, it was very early. Then I got married. I’m crazy !
(Paredes sees a message from his children):
They are the best thing in my life. They give me back every second of my life. When you are sad, when you go through certain things because of injuries, children change your day in a second.
Am I a rigid daddy?
I try not to be rigid, but I want them to be well educated, like my parents did with me. I try to give them the most important thing in life, which is respect.
Paredes “I try to take advantage of my family, the club and nothing else. “
I want my son to play 10?
No, I want him to have fun, I want him to choose what he wants to do. I’m not going to force him. He’s very happy and that’s all that matters.
What kind of life do I have in Paris?
I have a quiet life. I try to get up early, take the kids to school, come to the training center, try to have lunch with my wife, then pick up the kids from school and hang out with them at home. I try to take advantage of my family, the club and nothing else. I have been fortunate to be in incredible cities. And I was able to enjoy making a living from football. So I have the chance to do what I love.
